[For a second, it almost feels like a good decision to just let you go but Chopper still finds himself climbing off the couch and scuttling over. He's not going to stand in your way but he can't just let you leave without a word.]
[There's no immediate response, just a little frown while Chopper keeps looking at him. What if he gets lost? He will. What if he gets hurt? It's not unlikely. What if he finds those scientists? He won't. But what if he--
Finally, as Chopper gives a little nod he figures out something to say.]
Come back.
[The reindeer isn't teasing or scolding Zoro like he usually would when saying this. It's a bad attempt at a promise. At some kind of guarantee that when the swordsman leaves, it doesn't mean that just like Umi and Sanji and Franky, he could never return.]
[There's a long pause. Zoro's eyes widened for a moment - it's pretty hard to miss how serious that statement sounds, especially coming from the reindeer. But with how the last week had been for people... it made sense to him.
After a moment, his lips curved up into that devious grin. The very same one that always appeared when his conviction was showing.]
Yeah, I will. I don't plan on disappearing anytime soon.
[That reaction was almost like a physical blow; so strong that it left him feeling somewhat dazed. They talked about it a lot, how they'd always manage to pull through whatever this city threw at them, but it was another thing to actually see it be done.
This crew was, is, so very special.]
Ah, wait!
[Chopper ran toward the room, ended up at his little red bed in the corner that Sweden had made for him and grabbed his backpack next to it. Opening it up quickly to make sure it had the right things, he returned quickly and held it up toward Zoro.]
[Zoro quirks an eyebrow at Chopper at the notion to wait. His eyes followed the reindeer's motions until he was out of sight. Not having any idea just what Chopper was up to, he stood, folding his arms and waiting.
Eyes focused on the doorway, they continued to watch until he was in front of Zoro once again. The motion to grab the backpack wasn't reluctant, but still almost... unsure in its way. He hadn't expected it at all.]
[He pauses for another second, clenching the backback. He doesn't bother looking into the backpack - Zoro knows he can trust Chopper's word on that. After another bout of silence, he slings the backpack over the opposite shoulder from where his swords are resting.
In a swift motion following that, he brings down his hand, placing it atop Chopper's large, pink hat and rubbing it a little.]
[Watching Zoro quietly, he hoped that he wouldn't have gotten mad or upset at the make-shift first aid backpack the swordsman being given. It wasn't that Chopper didn't think he could take care of himself, though it was a common thought on the doctor's mind, but now that there was less of his own crew here, he felt this swell of urgency to make sure their remaining crew mates stay safe and well.
It wasn't until he felt the hand on his hat, as his head tilted down a little from the added weight and he pushed the rim of his hat back up with his hooves, that he felt the tears in his eyes. But, they went ignored, even as he looked back up and smiled as brightly as he could at Zoro's face.]
[He gave his head a slight nod before pulling his hand back. He wasn't much for sentiments - especially not right now. For all the things that changed in Discedo, or rather, because of it, he'd learned to appreciate them a bit more. But of course, two of the core people who had been the reason for it and seen that change more than most, had been amongst the ones who were taken away.
It was a step back in its way, but maybe that was for the best, he thought. Maybe it was a kick in the ass. A reminder that there was a reason he'd regarded things the way he did before all of this shit had ever even started. Sentimentality was taking a backseat. It was time for change again, and now he had it set in his head that he needed to reverse the mindset that Discedo had given him. And here was the very beginning of all of that.]
[The reindeer was certainly guilty of letting his emotions get the best of him, and it always hurt him more than words could explain when the people he met here and became friends with ended up leaving. It was even worse when it was crew mates... no, family. He'd almost shut down completely long ago when Luffy left, and yet somehow here he was now, just a little misty-eyed and nothing more, all because of that promise he'd made to himself and to Sanji, as well as everyone else when he'd come back when he too was finally taken home. He wouldn't cry over them. He wouldn't be angry or depressed or upset. He'd overcome this just like the others could, would show them just how brave and strong he could be, because they needed him to rely on just as much as he needed them.
There was an enthusiastic nod back as he quickly brushed away the wetness on his face before looking Zoro head-on, nothing but determination on his face as he raised an arm in the air.]
[Zoro had neglected to say anything about the tears this time. If for nothing more than the fact that these tears hadn't been over the disappearance of their crew. Mostly, his was his own personal distractions, but he let it slide this time.]
Good.
And then there it was. Words that went completely unspoken. There was only one thing that motion could ever mean... and right now, it was a reminder of a lot of things, for the both of them.
He kept silent and he turned and walked away, heading for the door this time. Before opening it though, he stopped. His back still turned to Chopper, he balled his left hand into a fist, raising it in the air.
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Zoro? Where are you going?
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Hunting. Maybe looking for those shitty bastards. I haven't decided yet.
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Finally, as Chopper gives a little nod he figures out something to say.]
Come back.
[The reindeer isn't teasing or scolding Zoro like he usually would when saying this. It's a bad attempt at a promise. At some kind of guarantee that when the swordsman leaves, it doesn't mean that just like Umi and Sanji and Franky, he could never return.]
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After a moment, his lips curved up into that devious grin. The very same one that always appeared when his conviction was showing.]
Yeah, I will. I don't plan on disappearing anytime soon.
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This crew was, is, so very special.]
Ah, wait!
[Chopper ran toward the room, ended up at his little red bed in the corner that Sweden had made for him and grabbed his backpack next to it. Opening it up quickly to make sure it had the right things, he returned quickly and held it up toward Zoro.]
Take it.
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[Zoro quirks an eyebrow at Chopper at the notion to wait. His eyes followed the reindeer's motions until he was out of sight. Not having any idea just what Chopper was up to, he stood, folding his arms and waiting.
Eyes focused on the doorway, they continued to watch until he was in front of Zoro once again. The motion to grab the backpack wasn't reluctant, but still almost... unsure in its way. He hadn't expected it at all.]
...What's in it?
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In case of an emergency.
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[He pauses for another second, clenching the backback. He doesn't bother looking into the backpack - Zoro knows he can trust Chopper's word on that. After another bout of silence, he slings the backpack over the opposite shoulder from where his swords are resting.
In a swift motion following that, he brings down his hand, placing it atop Chopper's large, pink hat and rubbing it a little.]
Thanks.
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It wasn't until he felt the hand on his hat, as his head tilted down a little from the added weight and he pushed the rim of his hat back up with his hooves, that he felt the tears in his eyes. But, they went ignored, even as he looked back up and smiled as brightly as he could at Zoro's face.]
Uh-huh. You're welcome!
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It was a step back in its way, but maybe that was for the best, he thought. Maybe it was a kick in the ass. A reminder that there was a reason he'd regarded things the way he did before all of this shit had ever even started. Sentimentality was taking a backseat. It was time for change again, and now he had it set in his head that he needed to reverse the mindset that Discedo had given him. And here was the very beginning of all of that.]
Keep an eye on the others til I get back.
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There was an enthusiastic nod back as he quickly brushed away the wetness on his face before looking Zoro head-on, nothing but determination on his face as he raised an arm in the air.]
Aye aye! You can count on me!
[Then, he blinked ( ... )
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Good.
And then there it was. Words that went completely unspoken. There was only one thing that motion could ever mean... and right now, it was a reminder of a lot of things, for the both of them.
He kept silent and he turned and walked away, heading for the door this time. Before opening it though, he stopped. His back still turned to Chopper, he balled his left hand into a fist, raising it in the air.
They'd get through this. They always did.]
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